Argyranthemum frutescens 'Butterfly Vanilla Imp'

Marguerite Daisy

Creamy Daisy w/ Yellow Eye

Argyranthemum Vanilla Butterfly has a large creamy daisy with a yellow eye and medium green foliage. This hardy plant has a spread of 12–20 inches, requiring a space of 12–14 inches to grow and should be kept at a height of 18–36 inches. Vanilla Butterfly has received 10 awards, including Top Consumer Choice.

Height: 18-36 Inches

Spread: 12-20 Inches

USDA Zone: 10 to 11

Color: Ivory

Interesting Notes:

Argyranthemum frutescens is commonly called the Marguerite Daisy. This cheerful annual is a great addition for any flower garden or potted combination. The Marguerite Daisy is native to the islands of Macaronesia, some of which are the Canary Islands, the Savage Islands, and Madeira. It is the Island nature of this flower which gives it a cheerful carefree personality and makes it a bright asset to any floral setting.

Argyranthemum Vanilla Butterfly has a large creamy daisy with a yellow eye and medium green foliage, designed to provide a burst of cheerful color along the border of any garden, as ground cover, or in a container combination. Key features of this variety include high bloom production, heat tolerance, and versatility.

Growing Tips for Homeowners:

As with every plant purchase, it is important to look for quality at the start! During the purchasing process, be sure to avoid plants that look exhausted. Finding a fresh young plant, without yellowing foliage or dying flowers is very important. Look for rich medium green foliage and healthy creamy daises as indication of the plant's care thus far. This will ensure an easy start for you, and a long life for your plant.

After locating and purchasing a quality plant at the store, it is important to find the perfect place for it at your home. Argyranthemum is a sun-loving, humidity tolerating annual that enjoys the heat. The best time for planting your flower is mid spring or early summer, after the threat of frost has passed. Be careful not to take your plant outside too early in the spring. If there is still a chance of frost in your area, keep your plants safe indoors, maintaining care in the container. Argyranthemum will last from late spring, through the summer, until the frost returns in the fall.

Argyranthemum Vanilla Butterfly is a low maintenance plant and is drought resistant. Fertilizer or compost application will ensure optimal plant performance. Be sure to apply low to the ground, near the plant’s main stem, avoiding wetting the plant’s foliage, for quick absorption and utilization. Argyranthemum requires moderate to moist water levels. It is important to ensure good drainage in both containers and landscaping, to prevent diseases like root rot. Drainage holes, elevated flower gardens, and proper soil composition are three great ways to prevent root rot and help your plants maintain a healthy moisture level.

Another great feature of Argyranthemum Vanilla Butterfly is their bloom production. These upright beauties will continuously bloom all season. While the plant does not require deadheading, if your plants start to look messy, feel free to trim them back to keep them tight and well-shaped. After pinching back, your plant should begin to bloom again within 1–2 weeks.

Marguerite daisies have two classes of pests; sucking pests and chewing pests. Several sucking pests include: aphids, mealybugs, soft scale, thrips, whiteflies and assorted mites, such as spider mites. These sucking pests breach the outer surface of the leaves of the plant, and then feed on the daisy's sap. This causes yellowing of the foliage, and eventual leaf loss and plant wilting. Another issue with sucking pests is that they secrete a sweet substance known as honeydew that is a byproduct of their feeding. This honeydew coats the leaves of the Argyranthemum frutescens plant, and increases the likelihood that the daisy will be affected by a fungal infection, such as powdery mildew. The honeydew will also attract ants, which are a nuisance pest around homes.

Chewing pests are caterpillars which use the plant as a food source. These pests can be identified visually or by the symptoms of the infestation, such as ragged stalks and leaves, or leaves with splotches and holes.

If you notice an infestation of either type of pest, be sure to act quickly, removing the infested leaves, checking the underside of leaves for hiding pests, as well as removing any caterpillars.

The earliest prevention against disease and pest threat is careful examination during the purchasing process. It is important to know the difference between harmful pests and beneficial insects. Some insects may lay their eggs on your plant’s leaves in order to feed on the pests, which is actually beneficial to your flower. Removal of the wrong eggs could potentially promote pest survival and growth.

Argyranthemum are attractive to pollinators, such as butterflies and bees, which add a touch of beauty to the garden and promote plant growth.